A breathing place to draw the damps away, A twilight of an intercepted day. The tyrant's den, whose use, though lost to fame, Was now the apartment of the royal dame; The cavern, only to her father known, By him was to his darling daughter shewn. Neglected long she let the secret rest, Till love recalled it to her labouring breast, And hinted as the way by heaven designed, The teacher, by the means he taught, to blind. What will not women do, when need inspires Their wit, or love their inclination fires! Though jealousy of state the invention found, Yet love refined upon the former ground. That way, the tyrant had reserved to fly Pursuing hate, now served to bring two lovers nigh. The dame, who long in vain had kept the key, Bold by desire, explored the secret way; Now tried the stairs, and wading through the night, Searched all the deep recess, and issued into light. All this her letter had so well explained, The instructed youth might compass what remained; The cavern mouth alone was hard to find, Because the path, disused, was out of mind: But in what quarter of the copse it lay, His eye by certain level could survey: Yet (for the wood perplexed with thorns he knew) A frock of leather o'er his limbs he drew;[214] And, thus provided, searched the brake around, Till the choked entry of the cave he found. Thus, all prepared, the promised hour arrived, So long expected, and so well contrived: With love to friend, the impatient lover went, Fenced from the thorns, and trod the deep descent. The conscious priest, who was suborned before, Stood ready posted at the postern door; The maids in distant rooms were sent to rest, And nothing wanted but the invited guest. He came, and, knocking thrice without delay, The longing lady heard, and turned the key; At once invaded him with all her charms, And the first step he made was in her arms: The leathern outside, boisterous as it was, Gave way, and bent beneath her strict embrace: On either side the kisses flew so thick, That neither he nor she had breath to speak. The holy man, amazed at what he saw, Made haste to sanctify the bliss by law; And muttered fast the matrimony o'er, For fear committed sin should get before. His work performed, he left the pair alone, } Because he knew he could not go too soon; } His presence odious, when his task was done. } What thoughts he had beseems not me to say; } Though some surmise he went to fast and pray, } And needed both to drive the tempting thoughts away. } The foe once gone, they took their full delight; 'Twas restless rage, and tempest all the night; For greedy love each moment would employ, And grudged the shortest pauses of their joy. Thus were their loves auspiciously begun, And thus with secret care were carried on. The stealth itself did appetite restore,